Gas-burner.



PATBNTED JAN. 6, 1903'.

i A. E. HUMTHRET.

GAS` BURNER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 4,1901.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

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PATBNTBD JAN. 6, 1903.

A. H. HUMPHREY.

GAS BURNER. APPLIUATION FILEDv APR. 4, 190;.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No MODEL,

PATENTED TALL 6, 1903.

A. H. HUMPHREY.

GAS BURNER. APPLIGATION P1 LEUAPB-4, 1901.

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N0 MODEL.

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UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED H. HUMPHREY, 0F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

GAS-BURNER.

SPECIFIGATIDN forming part of Letterslatet No. 717,747, dated. January 6, 1903.

Application filed April 4, 1901. Serial No. 54,271. (No model.)

To caf/ZZ when@ t muy concern.-

Beit known that I, ALFRED H. HUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas- Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in gas-burners. It relates to improved construction of single burners and to an improved cluster arrangement of such burners.

The objects of the invention are, Iirst, to provide an efficient Bunsen burner in which the aeration and mixing of the air and gas are so complete that no extra draft, as from a chimney, is required; second, to provide an efficient cluster burner in which a cluster of burners can be embraced in a single globe for protection without the necessity of using chi'm'neys; third, tov provide in a 'cluster burner improved means for supporting the globe around the same; fourth, to provide a construction of gas-burner of the Welsbach type in which the gas is preheated andexpanded and its activity consequently increased,whereby the combustion will be more active, and whereby the same will be more thoroughly intermingled and intermixed with air and the full heating edect of the burning gas be secured in raising the heat of the mantle to incandescence; fifth, to provide an improved means of mixing the gas and air in a Bunsen or Velsbachl burner; sixth, to provide an improved construction of valve and hase for a burner; seventh, to provide animproved construction of needle-valve in such burners which can be readily replaced and` adjusted; eighth, to provide an improved form of rniXing-chamberin aBunsen or Welsbach burner; ninth, to provide an improved construction of screen for use in a Buusen or Welsbach burner; tenth, to provide an improved construction of burner-tip to insure proper rotation of the flame for insuring com-- the gas will be delivered in such manner as to be carried outwardly and rotated outwardly away from the discharge-milices to carry the same well out into the mantle; twelfth, t0 provide improvements in central mantle-supports in Welsbach burners or burners of that type; thirteenth, to provide an improved pilot-light for cluster or other burners and also effective means for controlling the same; fourteenth, to provide an improved automatic iguiting device for a burner or burners.

Further objectswill definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. l

The structure embodying the features oi' my invention isfnlly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, in which- Figure 1 is a view taken partially in section on line l 1 of Fig. 2, showing details of the arrangement of parts. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of my improved cluster burner. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detail sectional view through one of the burners and central supports, taken on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig.l 2. Fig. 4- is a detail View of the central mantle-support and itsI socket very much enlarged. Fig. 5 is an en larged detail `plan view of the burner-tip removed frein the burner. Fig. 6 is an inverted plan view of the same. Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through the said burner-tip, taken on a line corresponding to line 7 7 of Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a detail 'view of a burner-tip in which round divergent perforations are provided for the exit of the gas, the same being an ordinary form of burner-tip. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail plan viewot` a modified form of burner-tip in which the perforations or slits do not extend entirely to the edge. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view ofthe said modified structure, taken on line l0 10 of Fig. 9. Fig.` 11 is an enlargedvertical sectional view through the pilot-light and igniter, taken on a line 'corresponding tov line ll 11 of Figs. 12 and 13. verse sectional view taken on line 12 12 of Fig. ll. Fig.. 13 is a transverse sectional view IOO Fig. 12 is a transconstructing the same.

taken on line13 13 of Fig. 11. Fig. 14- is an enlarged detail View of a modified spring structure for controlling the needle-valve of the pilot-light. Fig. l5 is a detail view of the spring therefor. Fig. 16 is a detail View of the single-burner base,showing the method of Fig. 17 is a detail View of the mixing-chamber,showing the form of the same with inwardly-projecting flanges or ribs omitted. Fig. 18 is the upper end of the pilot-light when the lantern or other support for theignitingmaterialis removed,show ing the form as it would be used as a pilotlight Without the special igniter. Fig. 19 is the top plan View of the structure appearing in Fig. 18. Fig. 2O is a detail view of the igniter device, showing asim ple strip of metal for supporting the platinum device for the occlusion of the gas for ignition. Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail View showing the form which the llame of the burner assumes and the vortex formed within the same. Fig. 22 is a detail sectional View of the tip of the pilotlight, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 22 of Fig. 19. Fig. 23 is a detail view showing the upper portion ofthe burner removed and the method of supporting the mantle above the burnertube while the same is being burned off.

In the drawings all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little'arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A is the central bracket or support to which the remaining parts are secured. This is hollow and contains the valve O for the passage of the gas, and the saine is screwed to a depending piece of gas-pipe A', which is quite large and thin to afford storage for a considerable quantity of gas and permit the same to be heated or raised to a high temperature by the action of the cluster of burners surrounding the same. The pin P, with an annular groove P', is screwed into the bottom of this main bracket A and affords a support for the globe-holder. The globe-holder consists ofa bottom ring R, which is supported, preferably, by three radial arms R' R', extending downwardly, curving slightly outwardly and then inwardly and upwardly to a central hub or coupling R" in such manner and position to pass freely around the burners of the cluster. In this coupling is a setscrew g, which enters the annular groove P' on the pin P, thus supporting the globe in position. The globe S has a suitable top band b" secured thereto by a suitable flange and set-screws f. The globe-ring is attached to the globe by means` of a set-screw e. Radial arms support the corrugated band or collar of metal S" on the central gas-pipe A',the same being supported by a suitable collar and set-screw.

Extending out radially from the lower part of the main bracket or coupling A are tubular arms B B, which terminate in balls B' at the outer ends, which are partially cut away on the upper side and formed into threaded nipples t. These receive the nozzles C, which are fitted onto the same, having an upwardlyprojecting part into which the point of the needle valve extends. The said valve is screwed thereto through the bottom of the ball by a suitable knurled head, and the coiled spring D puts tension on the screw to prevent its accidental displacement. It will be observed that this needle-valve requires very little adjustment and that a new nozzle C can be easily substituted when a larger or smaller passage is desired, as it is found desirable to have the passage as nearly unobstructed as possible to deliver a strong central jet to secure the best results.

Upon the nozzle and support is a mixingtube E. This tapers from the bottom upwardly, and provided within the same is a tube F, having spiral flanges F'formed therein and extending radially inward as well as spil-ally upward. These flanges are deflectors and tend to induce a rotation of the air and gas passing through the same, and consequently insure its complete admixture. The deflectors are so arranged as to leave an unobstructed passage through the mixing-tube, so that the flow of gas is not expended against the deflectors, but is wholly utilized for the purpose ofinducing the air to flowinto the mixingtube. Upon this tube F is supported by a slip-joint a tube G, which tapers from the top downwardly, the same being expanded at the top into quite a broad chamber and being considerably larger than the tube F at the point of union therewith. I found that this particular form of mixing-chamber, in which there is an abrupt expansion above the restricted end of the lower tube, is of considerable advantage in securing the admixture of the gas and air and then allowing the same to pass freely forward without obstruction into the large chamber close to the burnertip. Iillustrate the same with the flanges or deflectors omitted in Fig. 17. This feature is of advantageiindependent of any flanges or deliectors for causing the rotation of gas and air passing therethrough. A screen b of wire mesh is suitably corrugated and placed upon the upper end of the tube G, and a cap H. is secured over the same, which extends upwardly, adding considerable to the broad chamber above. Upon the top of this cap H is supported my improved burner-tip which is formed by striking down from the top of the same tangential notches and bending the parts slightly downward, as appears in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 9, and l0. Little portions a' project from these parts A in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 and are clamped securely on top of the part H by the thimble H', screwed down over the same. It will be seen from this that little flanges project downwardly into the burner near each perforation and present practically a smooth surface at the top or surface of the burner IIO - gentially and forward in the direction of `pearing in Fig. 21.

discharge of the gas insure the delivery of the mixed air and gas outwardly, so that the dame will take the form substantially apof the burner is illustrated so far as practical for the description of the action of the burner-tip just described. The tangential openings extending Aoutwardly in the direction of the dow of the gas cause the same to gyrate rapidly and throw the same outwardly. This prevents almost completely the formation of separate central cones, the gyration of the dame breaking up and mixing the gas, f

so that the usual central cone, frequently referred to as a hyperincandescent zone, projects very slightly beyond the burner-tip, as indicated at it, the flame above, as indicated at u', appearing to be practically homogeneous. The gyration of the flame is very strong, creating to a considerable extentrby its gyrations a vacuum' in the center, which appears in a very marked degree by holdinga lighted match, as fn, which causes a yellow ame, in proximity to the burner, the suction drawing the fiame from the match into a gyrating ball, as at fu', within the cen-v ter of the burner, easily visible on account of the color. This shows that air is drawn in toward the center of the burner-tip and serves to feed the llame at the middle and greatly increase the activity of the combustion. v

I show a modification of the form for securing a gyration of the flames in Figs. 9 and l0, in which the slits do not extend entirely to the edge of the burner, the formation otherwise being quite similar.

In Fig. 8 is shownthe usual tip with rows of round perforations toward its circumfer-l ence,with which my improved mixing-chamber operates very satisfactorily.

In the center of the burner-tube I place a socket J to'recei\'e the central mantle-support K, which is preferably a rod of iron orV other metal notched at K" at the top and provided with little projectionsK and K,

which can be readily formed by a punch,

suitably located on its sides to` act as stops to hold the mantle-support at the proper elevation.

J Theprojection K" then prevents any possible rotation of the same which would` loev likely to cause its displacement.

In said Fig. 2l the dame The socket J is provided with aslotv J', extending down through the same, as ap- Connected to the main bracket A above the valve O, the said bracket being hollow,

as I have before stated, is a horizontal pipe 1L, which has a T L' secured to the same.

The small tube L" extends upwardly therefrom and has a small burner-tip L'" at the top. The T L' has a valve-casing and contains the needle-valve N, which extends up through the same into a suitable seat. A collarr N is screw-threaded on this valve and is adj ustably heldin position by a set-screw h. A casing M is on the lower end of the T L' and extends downward, having a cross piece which is perforated to receive-the stem of the valve N. The spring N is between this cross portion of the casing M and the collar N and forcesthe needle valve normally upward, where it may be set to actually close the valve or to leave the same partially open when it is desired to use the pilot-light without an igniting device.

The casing M is not' a necessity for hold-A ing the needle-valve upwardly by means of a spring, because, for instance, a spring, as T, can be supported on the lower part of the bracket A and extend out and engage a pin, as Z, on the stem of the valve N, or it could engage the valve or stem in any suitable way. It does not matter how the spring is arranged so long as it is adapted to hold the valve normally seated. A suitable chain, asj, is usually attached to this valve for the purpose of opening it. The burner-tip on this pilot-light is provided with small apertures, as r, extending upwardly from the central portion of the top. Other perforations, as n n, (see Figs. 13, I9., and 22,) point outwardly and upwardly toward Y the burners of the cluster, so that when the pilot-light is ignited jets are darted off toward the burners,and these are promptly ignited. The small perforations at fr .are for the purpose of allowing comparatively small amount o fgas to escape against the igniterpill C, of platinum or similar material, as it is found that when a small amount of gas comes into contact with the same it is much more likely to readily ignite. Then the larger jets are promptly ignited from the smaller ones, and the entire cluster of burners is lighted. On releasing the valve N the gas is of course cut off. ported inalantern-like-cage Q, the passages n 'n being directed out through the spaces thereof. However, as the whole is inclosed within a globe S the igniter material of platinum will be found to work quite satisfactorily whensupported on any suitable support, as a strip of metal U. (See Fig. 20.) This burnertip is also well adapted for use onlyas a pilotlight, when the perforations fr can be omitted, or perfor-ations in the same place can be directed to the lighting of one or morey burners of the cluster. When the same is made use of as a pilot-light only, the valve N is so adjusted that a small amount of gas passes upwardly and the little jets are left lighted. When the gas is turned onto the burner, the

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The igniter-pill C is preferably supy valve N is pulled down and the jets allowed to shoot across to the different burners of the cluster toward which they may be directed. The pilot-light with such jets properly directed toward the single burners could be used with any style of valve in that connection, though of course the construction of valve as I have illustrated is particularly adapted to the purpose. I desire to state that this structureof pilot-light could be successfully usedy with electric igniters; but as my invention does not pertain to electric igniters I have not illustrated it in this connection.

I have described all of the parts of my improved gas-burner in detail, but desire to remark that many of the valuable features thereof can be developed and utilized independent of many of the details of construction. While the central thin metallic tube with a cluster of Welsbach burners arranged around the same secures a thorough preheating of the gas, which facilitates its admixture with air and by raising the temperature of the gas itself makes it possible to greatly increase the heat delivered to the mantle, thus saving, as I estimate, not less than thirty per cent. of the gas for a certain amount of illumination, I am aware that the same principle might be utilized by an arrangement of the passage for the gas in proper relation to a single Welsbach or Bunsen burner, and thus secure this advantage. I believe that I am the first to discover that this preheating of the gas is desirable and possible in Bunsen burners. The first thought is that the heated gas passing up from the nozzle C would be very likely to become ignited at that point; but experience shows that it does not reach the igniting-point, and the cooler air enveloping the same at that point prevents any injury or overheating to the fixtures and passes the heated mixture of gas and air rapidly upward with little or no obstruction, but with a thorough mixture. As the voluineof the gas is much expanded by the heat and it is thereby much attenuated, it is much more readily mixed with the air and the combustion above thus made complete and active. So effective is the device on this account that, as I have before stated and I believe, not less than thirty per cent. of gas is saved for a given amount of illumination.

The arrangement I have devised with the loops R and the central support with the globe is such that all of the burners of the cluster are easily accessible for adjustment and owing to the fact that the globe can be turned around with its entire support and the whole can be taken down by simply undoing the thumb-screw g at the bottom. Of course the number of arms R could be increased where a larger cluster is made use of; but three such arms are found sufficient for a cluster of four burners.

I have shown a screen c in the upper part of the burner-chamber, which is corrugated vertically. This is of advantage, because,

owing to the increased size of the screen, the aggregate area 0f the perforations is much increased and the ow of the gas consequently much less obstructed.

The burner-supports B B are simple to Y manufacture, as in the first step of the same the part B is turned into a ball, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 16. The passages are then bored through and a nipple t formed on one side, which receives the nozzle C. All joints at the elbow are thus avoided, the structure is easy to manufacture, and the valve is easily inserted and controls absolutely the passage of the gas by a strong central jet in the mixing-cham ber. This is a feature which is of advantage in the manufacture and produces very desirable and valuable results in the completed burner.

From the various statements of modifications it will be seen that the details ot`- this cluster burner can be very greatly varied and still utilize valuable features of my invention.

My practical construction for securing the support of the mantle and supporting it high above the burner-tip while it is being burned o and then dropping it accurately into position avoids another fruitful source of waste from broken mantles, and it further insures the exact and accurate location of the mantle after it has been burned off without any warping or twisting.

I desire to call attention to my copending application filed December 29, 1900, Serial No. 41,488, in which I have claims to the general structure, the mantle-support, and to the burner illustrated herein. I also desire to call attention to my copending application filed on July 31, 1902, Serial No. 117,781, in which I have claims to the general structure and also to the valve construction of my lamp herein illustrated, and Serial No. 117,782, in which I have claims to the igniter structure herein illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- K 1. In a gas-burner, the combination of an upwardly-tapered mixing-tube having air-inlets toward its lower end; an injector-tube for gas at the bottom of said mixing-tube; spiral deectors projecting inwardly from the wall of said mixing-tube arranged to leave an unobstructed central passage therethrough; an enlarged chamber with a suitable burnertip above said mixing-tube, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a gas-burner, the combination of a tapered mixing-tube having air-inlets toward its lower end; an injector-tube for gas at the bottom of said mixing-tube; spiral defiectors projecting inwardly from the wall of said mixing-tube arranged to leave an unobstructed central passage therethrough; an enlarged chamber with a suitable tip above said mixing-tube, all coacting for the purpose specified.

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3. In a gas-burner, the combination of a mixing-tube having air-inlets toward its lower end; au injector-tube for gas at the bottom of said mixing-tube; spiral deflectors projecting inwardly from the wall of said mixing-tube arranged to leave an unobstructed central passage therethrough; an upwardly-expanding chamber above saidVmiXing-tube; asuitable bu rner-tip; and a corrugated screen supported in said chamber, all coacting for the purpose specified. Y

4:. In a gas-burner, the combination of a mixing-tube having air-inlets toward its lower end; an injector-tnbefor gas at the bottom of said mixing-tube; spiral deflectors projecting inwardly from the wall of said mixing-tube, arranged to leave an unobstructed central passage therethrough; an upwardly-expanding chamber above said mixing-tube, and a suitable burner-tip, all coacting for the purpose speclied.

5. In a gas-burner, the combination of a suitable gas-injector; a mixing-tube having suitable air-inlets toward the lower end; spiral deliectors projecting inwardly from the wall of said mixing-tube arranged to leave an unobstructed central passage therethrough; an upwardly-expanding chamber above said mixing-tube, the said tube and chamber being joined together by a slip-joint; and -a burner-tip and mantle-support carried by said chamber, all coacting for the purpose specified.

6. Aburner of the character described,com prising a gasdischarge pipe provided at its end with a deiiector having inclined passages, the upper edges of said passages overlapping their lower edges, whereby the gas is discharged With a swirling motion.

7. In a burner of the character described, comprising a gas-discharge pipe provided at its end with a deflector fixed in position and having a circular series of passages inclined4 

